• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 1999

Background: Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammatory airway disease associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Bronchial inflammation in asthma may depend in part on the activation of T helper lymphocytes that elaborate proinflammatory cytokines. T helper (Th) lymphocytes can be divided into two categories; Th1 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$, and Th2 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10. Th2 lymphocytes appear to induce allergic responses, whereas Th1 lymphocytes induce delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Some infections, such as tuberculosis, cultivate a Th1 immunological environment and inhibit Th2 lymphocytes function. The presence of such infections might inhibit Th2 immune responses and thus protect development of atopic diseases. Method: 15 patients with allergic bronchial asthma, 10 patients with intrinsic bronchial asthma, and 10 healthy volunteers were studied. The serum concentrations of IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA method and tuberculin skin test was estimated in different groups. Results: The positive response rates of tuberculin test were 46.7% in patients with allergic asthma, 100% in patients with intrinsic asthma and 60% in normal controls. The positive response rates were significantly lower in patients with allergic asthma than those of in patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). Degree of responses to tuberculin test were $12.0{\pm}9.6mm$ in patients with allergic asthma, $18.4{\pm}4.5mm$ in patients with intrinsic asthma and $10.9{\pm}8.8mm$ in normal controls. The degree of responses were significantly reduced in patients with allergic asthma than those of patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). The serum levels of IL-5 in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than in patients with intrinsic asthma and normal controls (p<0.05), although it was insignificant. the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma were higher than that of intrinsic asthma and normal controls. The serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$ in patients with allergic asthma and intrinsic asthma were significantly lower than those in normal controls(p<0.05). The serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and peripheral blood eosinophile counts in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than those in normal controls. Peripheral blood esinophil counts had a significant correlation with the serum levels of total IgE, IL-5 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results have showed that Th1 lymphocyte functions were lowered and Th2 lymphocyte functions were elevated in patients with allergic asthma than those in normal controls. Suppression of Th1 lymphocyte functions by activation of Th2 lymphocyte might be one of the important aspects of pathogenesis in allergic bronchial asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.568-578
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• 2001

Background : Lung cancer is frequently cited as an example of a disease caused solely by exposure to environmental carcinogens. However, there is a growing realization that the genetic constitution is also important in determining individual's susceptibility to lung cancer. This genetic susceptibility may result from functional polymorphims of the genes involved in carcinogen metabolism. In this study, the association between GSTM1 and CYP1A1 polymorphisms and the lung cancer risk in Korean males was investigated. Materials and Method : The study population consisted of 153 male lung cancer patients and 143 healthy male controls. The GSTM1 and CYP1A1 genotypes were determined by multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP analysis. Result : There were no significant differences in the frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype between the cases and the controls. When the cases were categorized by their histologic type, the frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype in the small cell carcinoma group was higher than those of the controls(67.2% vs 55.9%), but the difference was not statistically significant(OR=1.772 ; 95% CI=0.723-4.340). The distribution of the CYP1A1 MspI genotypes among the cases were similar to those among the controls. When the cases were grouped by their histologic type, the ml/m1, ml/m2, m2/m2 genotypes frequencies among the small cell carcinomas(23.0%, 38.5%, and 38.5%, respectively) were significantly different from those of the controls(36.4%, 46.2%, and 7.4%, respectively, p<0.05). When the m1/m1 genotype was used as a reference, the ml/m2 and m2/m2 genotypes were associated with an increased risk for small cell lung cancer(ml/m2 genotype : OR=1.337, 95% CI=0.453-3.947 ; m2/m2 genotype : OR=3.374, 95% CI=1.092-10.421). Conclusion : These results suggest that the GSTM1 and CYP1A1 genotypes may be a genetic determinant of the risk for lung cancer, particlulary small cell carcinoma. Further investigation is needed to confirm these results.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.19-25
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim was to study experimentally the effects of KABHANG-BANG(갑항방) on the hyperthyroidism of rats induced by sodium levothyroxine. Methods : Spargue-Dawley rats were separated into four groups. Except normal group, the other three groups were treated with sodium levothyroxine $32{\mu}g$/200g/days for 5 days by oral administration. Among the three groups, two except one(as control) were treated KHB extract 225mg/200g/days(sample A), 450mg/200g/days(sample B) for 3 days separately. T3-uptake, T3, T4, r-TSH, total cholesterol, total protein change in the Serum of rats were measured after medication of solid extract of KHB. Results : As a result of this study, in the serum T3 and T4 level were decreased in sample A and B compared to controls. The serum r-TSH, total cholesterol and total protein were increase in sample A and B compared to controls. In the serum T3-uptake content, Smple B showed significant decrease in comparison with control group, but Sample A did not show significant decrease. Conclusion : According to the above results, it is suggested that KHB is effective to cure hyperthyroidism.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.95-102
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim was to study experimentally the effects of Danggwisaeyeoktang(當歸四逆湯) on the hypothyroidism of rats induced by thiouracil. Methods : Spargue-Dawley rat were separated into three groups. Except normal group, the other two groups were treated with thiouracil 50mg/kg/days for 30 days by oral administration. Among the two group, one group was treated DGSYT extract 0.54g/kg/days for 20 days separately. T3-uptake;, T3, T4, TSH, hematological values, enzyme activity, total cholesterol and Na+ content charge in the Serum of rats were measured after medication of solid extract of DGSYT. Result : As a result of this study, in the serum T3-Uptake and T4 level, hematological values and sodium were increased in DGSYT group compared to controls. The serum TSH, total cholesterol and body weight were decreased in DGSYT group compared to controls. Conclusion : According to the above results, it is suggested that DGSYT is effective to cure hypothyroidism.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.348-360
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• 2015

Objectives From observing the tongue of a patient, one can assess the health status; this method has been frequently used in traditional Korean Medicine (KM) clinics. In particular, KM posits that the color of the tongue is highly related to digestive functions. In this study, the color of tongue and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between chronic dyspepsia (CD) patients and healthy subjects. Methods Healthy subjects and CD patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic gastritis (CG) were enrolled for the study. Profile view images of the tongue were acquired by using a computerized tongue image acquisition system (CTIS). The color of the tongue body was extracted from the non-coated region on the tongue images. Results Color differences in CIE L*a*b* color space between the three sub-types of CD patients and healthy subjects were analyzed by using multiple linear regression analysis with age and sex as the factors. The variable b* was significantly lower in GERD patients than in the controls (p=0.017). Variable a* was significantly lower in CG than in the controls (p=0.03). No significant difference was seen between FD and controls. In GERD, the tongue body seems to be intense red in color; in CG, pale red. Frequency domain analysis showed that HF was significantly lower in GERD patients than in the controls (p=0.041). Conclusions The color of the tongue body and HF of HRV can be used for diagnosing digestive functions in health care.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1143-1149
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• 2018

Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in Korean women with type 2 diabetes and nondiabetic controls. Methods: We performed a retrospective survey of 200 pregnancies in women with type 2 diabetes (n = 100) and nondiabetic controls (n = 100) who delivered from 2003 to 2010 at Cheil General Hospital & Women's Healthcare Center, Korea. We compared maternal characteristics as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes between groups matched by age, pre-pregnancy weight, body mass index, parity, and gestational age at delivery. Results: The number of infants that were small for gestational age and the rate of major congenital malformations were not significantly different. However, women with type 2 diabetes showed a slightly higher risk for primary caesarean section (35.0% vs. 18.0%, p = 0.006) as well as pre-eclampsia (10.0% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.017), infections during pregnancy (26.0% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.001), neonatal weight ($3,370{\pm}552.0$ vs. $3,196{\pm}543.3$, p = 0.025), large for gestational age (22.0% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.011), and macrosomia (15.0% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.018) compared to nondiabetic controls. Conclusions: Maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with type 2 diabetes were worse than those for nondiabetic controls. Diabetic women have a higher risk for primary caesarean section, pre-eclampsia, infections during pregnancy, large neonatal birth weight, large for gestational age, and macrosomia.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.253-262
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• 2008

Previous studies have indicated that incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is partly related to the damage of antioxidant systems, but etiology of RA is not fully identified. This study was performed to evaluate nutrient intakes including antioxidants, health related behaviors and food habits of RA patients and controls. RA patient group (n = 68) and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 68) were joined in this study. Nutrient intake was estimated using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. As mean age of RA ($52.9{\pm}13.8$ years) was significantly higher than those of controls ($48.7{\mp}5.9$ years), data were analyzed by using Student's t-test, adjusted for age. There was no significant difference between two groups in body mass index. Compared with those of controls, frequencies of drinking (p < 0.001) and coffee consumption (p < 0.05) of RA groups were lower. RA groups had lower frequencies of fruit (p < 0.01), vegetable (p < 0.05) and fatty meat (p < 0.05) consumptions and balanced diet (p < 0.01), and higher frequencies of fried dishes (p < 0.01), and salty dishes (p < 0.01), compared to controls. The most nutrient intakes including energy intake of RA were tended to be lower than those of controls. Vitamin A, ${\beta}$-carotene and vitamin C intakes were significantly lower in RA than controls (p < 0.001). Daily vitamin A, ${\beta}$-carotene and vitamin C intakes of RA were lower than those of control (vitamin A: RA $360.6{\pm}252.23{\mu}g$ RE, control $844.5{\pm}426.2{\mu}g$ RE, p < 0.001; ${\beta}$-carotene: RA $1450.9{\pm}1019.0{\mu}g$, control $3968.8{\pm}2248.21{\mu}g$, p < 0.001; vitamin C; RA $40.6{\pm}21.48mg$, control $84.7{\pm}40.29$, p < 0.001) These results suggest sufficient consumption of antioxidant nutrients may prevent and improve RA status.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 1985

To evaluate the performance characteristics of CA 19-9 radioimmunoassay and the clinical significance of serum CA 19-9 assay in patients with malignancy, serum CA 19-9 levels were measured by radioimmunoassay using monoclonal antibody in 135 normal controls, 81 patients with various untreated malignancy, 9 patients of postoperative colon cancer without recurrence and 20 patients with benign gastrointestinal diseases, who visited Seoul National University Hospital from June, 1984 to March, 1985. The results were as follows; 1) The CA 19-9 radioimmunoassay was simple to perform and can be completed in one work day. And the between-assay reproducibility and the assay recovery were both excellent. 2) The mean serum CA 19-9 level in 135 normal controls was $8.4{\pm}4.2U/mL$. Normal upper limit of serum CA 19-9 was defined as 21.0 U/mL. 4 out of 135(3.0%) normal controls showed elevated CA 19-9 levels above the normal upper limit. 3) One out of 20(5.0%) patients with benign gastrointestinal diseases showed elevated serum CA 19-9 level above the normal upper limit. 4) In 81 patients with various' untreated malignancy, 41 patients(50.6%) showed elevated serum CA 19-9 levels. 66.7% of 18 patients with colorectal cancer, 100% of 2 patients with pancreatic cancer, 100% of 3 patients with common bile duct cancer, 47.1% of 17 patients with stomach cancer, 28.6% of 28 patients with hepatoma and 60.0% of 5 other gastrointestinal tract cancers showed elevated serum CA 19-9 levels. 5) The sensitivities of serum CA 19-9 related to resectability in colorectal and stomach cancer were 33.3% in resectable colorectal cancer, 83.3% in unresectable colorectal cancer, 41.7% in resectable stomach cancer, 60.0% in unresectable stomach cancer respectively. 6) The sensitivity of serum CA 19-9 in 9 patients of postoperative colorectal cancer without recurrence were 33.3% and significantly decreased compared with that of untreated colorectal cancer, 66.7% (p<0.05). 7) In patients with colorectal cancer, simultaneous measurement of serum CA 19-9 and serum CEA levels increased sensitivities. From above results, we concluded that serum CA 19-9 radioimmunoassay is simple to perform and reproducible, and is a useful indicator reflecting tumor extent and responses to the treatment in patients with malignancy.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 1985

To evaluate the significance of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ in patients with various liver diseases, serum $\beta_2m$ levels were measured in 44 cases of normal controls, 32 cases of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 134 patients with various liver diseases, by radioimmunoassay using Phadebas $Beta_2-micro$ test kits. The following results were obtained: 1) The mean level of serum $\beta_2m$ was $1.39{\pm}0.25mg/l(Mean{\pm}S.D.)$ in normal controls ($1.39{\pm}0.23mg/l$ in 24 males, $1.38{\pm}0.27mg/l$ in 20 females). 2) The serum levels of $\beta_2m$ in patients with various liver diseases and asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were as follows; $1.40{\pm}0.27mg/l$ in asymptomatic HBsAg carriers, $2.42{\pm}0.37mg/l$ in 45 patients with acute viral hepatitis, $2.10{\pm}0.26mg/l$ in 46 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, $2.60{\pm}0.34mg/l$ in 23 patients with chronic active hepatitis, and $2.60{\pm}0.49mg/l$ in 20 patients with liver cirrhosis. Serum $\beta_2m$ levels of each disease group were significantly higher than that of normal controls(p<0.001). 3) There was significant correlation between the levels of serum $\beta_2m$ and the degrees of lymphocytic infiltration in patients with chronic active hepatitis(p<0.001). 4) Significant correlations were observed between the levels of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ and serum alanine aminotransferase(r=0.68, p<0.05) and bilirubin(r=0.63, p<0.05) in 15 patients with acute viral hepatitis. In conclusion, the serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ levels were increased in patients with various liver diseases, and it may serve as a new index of liver disease activity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

Objectives : Essential hyperhidrosis is a socially and occupationally disabling disorder. There are many suggestions that hyperhidrosis is associated with the autonomic nervous system. This study was designed to investigate the autonomic nerve system the patients with hyperhidrosis. Methods : 348 palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis patients and 20 systemic hyperhidrosis patients in the ambulatory care were investigated. All patients were inspected at the first medical examination, using the PSA of HRV. HRV was measured for 5 minutes after 5 minutes' bed rest. We checked the frequency domain analysis of HRV (i.e. TP, VLF, LF, HF and LF/HF) which were transformed into natural logarithm of patients against the standard measures of the HRV components. Then, we compared the means of patients with means and highest values of in the normal range of Koreans 1) between the patients with palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis and the healthy controls and 2) between the patients with the systemic hyperhidrosis and healthy controls, by the frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), respectively. We then compared the results between 1) and 2). Results : The values of natural logarithmic measures of LF/HF ratio in the patients with palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis we examined were significantly higher than the values of healthy controls, but those in the patients with systemic hyperhidrosis were not higher. Conclusion : This study suggests that the autonomic nervous function did not simply increase but that the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous function did matter in patients with palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis. This balance included that the sympathetic nervous function aggravated comparatively with parasympathetic nervous function. On the other hand, we couldn't find any significance of the patients with the systemic hyperhidrosis as for the autonomic nervous function.